Block-out frisket for printing processes



June 16, 1964 J, wc s 3,137,229

BLOCK-OUT FRISKET FOR PRINTING PROCESSES Filed Sept. 25, 1961 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 so 42 H 40 l lo L P FlG.l2

H INVENTOR. IO HG LOUIE J. VICKERS BY M T ATTORNEYS June 16, 1964 J, v c E s 3,137,229

BLOCK-OUT FRISKET FOR PRINTING PROCESSES Filed Sept. 25, 1961 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Ill/1A FIG. 7

's INVENTOR.

8 9 LOUIE J. VICKERS MUM ATTORNEYS United States Patent 3,137,229 BLOCK-OUT FRISKET FUR PRINTING PROCESSES Louie J. Vickers, 559 S. Gary Place, Tulsa, Okla. Filed Sept. 25, 1961, Set. No. 140,364 7 Claims. (Cl. 101-421) This invention relates to apparatus for masking out or blocking out certain desired printed matter from a part of sheet to be printed. More particularly, it relates to a frisket member and a means to adapt the frisket to existing printing presses.

In the printing art it is highly desirable in certain types of printing runs to mask out portions of the printed material for one reason or another. For example, many printing processes require the use of a numbering machine for printing consecutive numbers on such items as checks, invoices, and the like. Such a numbering device is actuated by the operation of the press itself to reset .to the next consecutive number. Many printing operators find it highly desirable, at the end of a run, to mask out the figures from several additional printed copies in order that there will be a few copies for any bindery spoilage. There are other instances where it becomes highly desirable to mask out unwanted portions of the printing process. Heretofore, this had to be done by removing the chase from the type bed, requiring practically a complete disassembly of the printing press.

Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to overcome the above objections and provide an apparatus which can be quickly assembled, adjusted and placed with respect to a rotatable cylinder type press, particularly a job cylinder or vertical press of the type sold under the trademarks of Miehle or Holmes.

Another object of this invention is to provide a clamp which is adaptable to the gripper bar on a rotary cylinder as used in a vertical type printing press and which will not interfere with the paper gripping stems and which further includes a relatively rigid yet flexible frisket member which can be adjustably secured to the gripper bar to mask out desired portions of the printed matter, yet does not interfere with the gripping and releasing of the paper of the sheet to be printed upon from the rotatable cylinder.

Another object of this invention is to provide a clamp or clip attachable to the gripper bar of a rotatable cylinder press which does not interfere with the normal operations of the press.

A still further object of this invention is to provide a frisket member for use with a rotatable cylinder type printing press which is capable of masking off desired portions of the print yet does not interfere with the normal operation of the press. Additionally, the frisket member is provided which accepts ink either by absorption or adsorption of the masked print, and retains it so as to not interfere with the continuous operation of the press.

These and other objects of this invention will become more apparent upon further reading of the specification and claims when taken in conjunction with the following illustrations of which:

FIGURES 1 and 2 are respective views to describe the result of using the apparatus of this invention.

FIGURES 3 and 4 are perspective views illustrating the clamp of this invention.

FIGURE 5 is a partial sectional view of a rotatable cylinder and gripper bar assembly such as found on a vertical type of printing press using the flexible clamp and frisket of this invention.

FIGURE 6 is a front elevation view of a large sheet of a preferred frisket material from which various configurations may be cut.

FIGURE 7 is a sectional view taken along the line 77 of FIGURE 6.

FIGURE 8 is a front elevational view of a modified frisket for use with this invention.

FIGURE 9 is a sectional view taken along the line 9-9 of FIGURE 8.

FIGURES 10, 11 and 12 are schematic illustrations of the operation of this invention on a vertical type press.

Briefly, this invention relates to a flexible metallic clip and a rigidly-flexible frisket which is adapted for use particularly with the gripper bar of a rotarycylinder used with a vertical type printing press. The frisket as held by the metallic clip is adapted to block out or mask undesired portion of the printed material from the run sheet.

Description FIGURES 1 and 2, which are diagrammatic in some respects, describe a sheet 10 which is to be imprinted with the numerals 111 and in which it is desired that the printed impression N? be deleted from the sheet. Frisket member 12, as hereafter described in this invention, is adapted to receive the printed impression N? and thus mask the impression from sheet 10.

FIGURE 3 describes a typical clamp or clip 19 for use with this invention to retain the frisket in its operating position. The clip includes a relatively straight base or leg portion 20, a back portion 22 and an upper portion 24, substantially forming the U-shape as shown. The upper portion or leg 24 includes a forward relatively curved portion 26 and a rear spring clip or keeper 28. A longitudinal opening 30 in the back 22 is provided in the clip to permit placement over the gripper stems of a gripper bar of the type used in a vertical press, and permit some latitude of adjustment along the gripper bar as described.

FIGURE 4 describes an additional clamp or clip 29 embodiment of this invention. Basically, the clip is identical to clip 1? including the U-shape with base 20 and upper portion 24 including the curved portion 26 and rear spring clip 28, and is changed only in the back portion 32. Opening 34 includes an open edge 36 extending to one end of the clip.

A typical installation of the clip and frisket of this invention may be had by referring to FIGURE 5. A rotary cylinder 40 of the type typically found with a vertical press of the Miehle or Holmes type is shown partially in section. Suitably attached in a longitudinal recess in the cylinder is a combined paper guide and gripper bar 42. Running longitudinally along the gripper bar, and at spaced intervals, are grippers 44 which include a stem portion 46 and a spring 48 tending to normally bias the gripper closed. The stem portion protrudes beyond the rear face of the gripper bar for contact with trip fingers, not shown, which cause the grippers to open and close at the designed interval in the printing process. The gripper bar is suitably attached to the rotary cylinder by tympan pins on the cylinder and screws which fit for clamping the bar into place, not shown. As shown, sheet 10, to be printed upon, is suit ably held by the gripper fingers to the rotary cylinder where it substantially conforms about the periphery during the printing process cycle. The clamp or clip 19 or 29 is attached to the gripper bar as shown, straddling the stem 46 through opening 30 or 34, whichever is used. The open-end of the U-shaped clamp faces toward the outer periphery to removably clasp the frisket 12.

Referring now to FIGURES 6 and 7, the frisket 12 as used in this invention is best described. In practice, the frisket is made of a relatively rigid yet flexible base material and is arranged adjacent one end thereof with parallel strips 14 of a relatively absorbent and resilient material, such as felt. As used herein, the terminology rigid-flexibility is to be described as that type of material which will be normally biased in a relatively rigid position yet upon being moved to other positions will be flexibly contoured to that position capable of returning to the substantially normally biased condition, cover stock, tag board, 'tyrnpan paper and the like are examples. In those instances, e.g., short runs where the felt strips are unnecessary, a base material 12 includes the property of adsorption or causing the ink to be removed from the surface of the frisket. This prevents smearing of consecutive runs.

The use of strips 14 acts as a protective means. That is, in many vertical presses a cylinder brush is adjustably positioned with respect to the rotary cylinder to smooth out and hold the sheet to the cylinder packing. Strips 14 act to prevent the brush from swiping the imprinted ink on the frisket, which builds up with continued use for long runs, and smearing same upon sheet 10.

A modified arrangement where raised strip 60 encircles the area to be imprinted upon and protects same is shown in FIGURES 8 and 9.

The dotted lines 50, 51, 52, 53 and 54 (FIGURE 6) merely show ways in which to cut the larger frisket material depending on the various applications.

Operation The operation of this invention will be described with particular use upon a vertical press of the type heretofore described. Ordinarily, the gripper bar 42 is removed and one or a multiplicity of clips or clamps 19 or 29 are positioned longitudinally along the gripper bar with the opening 31} or 34 respectively inserted over the gripper stems, substantially as shown in FIGURE 5. The gripper bar is then refastened to the rotatable cylinder 4th in a well known manner. A previously printed sheet 1% is placed upon the rotary cylinder 4%) and held by gripper fingers 44- in the printing position. According to the position of the printed matter which is to be deleted in the next runs, a frisket member 12 is pro-cut to that length or configuration as sug ested in FiGURE 6 such that the cushion and absorbent material 1d substantially encompasses the material to be masked or deleted from the next printed sheets. The frisket is then positioned under the ciu'ved spring portion 26 and the retaining rear spring clip 23. In this position, the friske't extends outward through the open end, above the gripper fingers. That is, in its broadest aspect the frisket is attached to that side of the gripper bar toward the direction of rotation of the cylinder, and extends substantially perpendicular to the periphery of the cylinder. Upon rotation the frisket flexes or bends over the gripper bar to the desired position during printing. Thereafter the frisket bends or flexes away from the gripper bar to permit unrestricted release of the sheet if The operation of a vertical press with particular regard to the use of this invention, is best described by referring to FIGURES 8, 9 and 10. A vertical press substantially includes a rotary cylinder dd and a vertical bed 60 which is adapted to move vertically upward and downward, as shown by the arrows. vA sheet of paper to be printed upon 10 is adapted, through appropriate mechanisms, not shown, to be fed to the rotary cylinder in timed relation such that the paper can be inserted under the now opened gripper fingers 44, which upon release will hold the sheet along a longitudinal edge. Further rotation of the paper now causes the sheet and flexible frisket 12 and its associated portions 14 to flex about the gripper bar and substantially conform to the rotary cylinder during the printing process in which the vertical bed and the inked print thereon substantially engages the sheet. Continued rotation causes the gripper fingers to open and release the now printed sheet 10 while a new sheet 19 is adapted and awaiting the next cycle of operation. The frisket 12 is flexible such that it will bend and flex out of the way to prevent interference with the opening and closing of the gripper fingers 44.

Although this invention has been described with reference to particular embodiments, this is not to be held as limiting. It will be apparent, however, that many modifications and uses can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of this invention as defined by the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. Apparatus for blocking out printed matter from a sheet to be printed upon by a press of the type having a rotary cylinder and a gripper bar having gripper stems for holding the sheet to the rotary cylinder, comprising the combination of,

a substantially U-chaped clamp,

the clamp releasably attached to the gripper bar in such a manner that the open end of the clamp faces the periphery of the cylinder,

the closed end of the clamp having an opening to fit over the rearwardly exposed gripper stem.

one leg formed with a forward detent and a rearward detent each spring biased against the gripper bar,

a rigid-flexible friske't attachably held under the detends and extending out the open end of the clamp normally perpendicular to the periphery of the cylinder to that dimension such that when the frisket conforms around the cylinder and over the sheet during the printing process, the matter to be blocked out will be printed on the frisket.

2. Apparatus for blocking out printed matter from a sheet to be printed upon by a press of the type having a. rotary cylinder and a gripper bar having gripper stems for holding the sheet to the rotary cylinder, comprising, the combination of,

a substantially U-shaped clamp,

the clamp releasably attached to the gripper bar in such a manner that the open end of the clamp faces the periphery of the cylinder,

the closed end of the clamp having an opening to fit over the rearwardly exposed gripper stem,

one leg formed with a forward detent and a rearward detent each spring biased against the gripper bar,

a frisket,

the frisket comprising a relatively rigid-flexible material and an ink retaining portion thereon,

the frisket attachably held under the detcnts and extending outward the open end of the clamp normally perpendicular to the periphery of the cylinder to that dimension such that when the frisket is conformed around the cylinder and over the sheet during the printing process the matter to be blocked out will be printed on the ink retaining portion.

3. Apparatus according to claim 2 wherein the ink retaining portion is an absorbent material.

4. Apparatus according to claim 3 wherein the absorbent material is fiber felt.

5. Apparatus for blocking out printing matter from a sheet to be printed upon by a press of the type having a rotary cylinder and a gripper bar having gripper stems for holding the sheet to the rotary cylinder, comprising, the combination of,

a substantially U-shaped clamp,

the clamp releasably attached to the gripper bar in such a manner that the open end of the clamp faces the periphery of the cylinder,

the closed end of the clamp having an opening to fit over the rearwardly exposed gripper stem,

one leg formed with a forward detent and a rearward detent each spring biased against the gripper bar,

a frisket,

the frisket comprising a relatively rigid-flexible material and an ink receiving portion thereon,

the frisket attachably held under the detents and extending outward the open end of the clamp normally perpendicular to the periphery of the cylinder to that 6. Apparatus according to claim 5 wherein the ink receiving portion is substantially'straddled by parallel strips of an ink absorbent material.

7. A frisket attachable to the rotary cylinder of a printing press to mask undesired print on a sheet comprising a material capable of flexing first to the mask position over the sheet and then flexing away from the sheet to permit release of the sheet from the cylinder, a resilient cushion material on said material encompassing the un- 5 desired print transferred to the frisket.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Freismuth Nov. 4, 1890 Patalon Feb. 16, 1960 

1. APPARATUS FOR BLOCKING OUT PRINTED MATTER FROM A SHEET TO BE PRINTED UPON BY A PRESS OF THE TYPE HAVING A ROTARY CYLINDER AND A GRIPPER BAR HAVING GRIPPER STEMS FOR HOLDING THE SHEET TO THE ROTARY CYLINDER, COMPRISING THE COMBINATION OF, A SUBSTANTIALLY U-SHAPED CLAMP, THE CLAMP RELEASABLY ATTACHED TO THE GRIPPER BAR IN SUCH A MANNER THAT THE OPEN END OF THE CLAMP FACES THE PERIPHERY OF THE CYLINDER, THE CLOSED END OF THE CLAMP HAVING AN OPENING TO FIT OVER THE REARWARDLY EXPOSED GRIPPER STEM. ONE LEG FORMED WITH A FORWARD DETENT AND A REARWARD DETENT EACH SPRING BIASED AGAINST THE GRIPPER BAR, A RIGID-FLEXIBLE FRISKET ATTACHABLY HELD UNDER THE DETENDS AND EXTENDING OUT THE OPEN END OF THE CLAMP NORMALLY PERPENDICULAR TO THE PERIPHERY OF THE CYLINDER TO THAT DIMENSION SUCH THAT WHEN THE FRISKET CONFORMS AROUND THE CYLINDER AND OVER THE SHEET DURING THE PRINTING PROCESS, THE MATTER TO BE BLOCKED OUT WILL BE PRINTED ON THE FRISKET. 